Overall very good and new experience at the world's second largest mangrove forest. Canals and waterways are very scenic. But my only concern is the waiting period for the boats. It took 2 hours to book a boat and 2 hours to board a boat that is insane 4 hours waiting period. Other than that its a very good place to visit if you have good patience.

Absolutely amazing place and it was beyond what we have expected before visiting. Took boat ride, I will recommend taking manual boat than motor boat to experience mangrove forest better. Because motor boat makes sound but manually operated boats are not making noise and disturbing peace of forest. Also person who operating boat was hard working, he took great pictures and showed best angles. Highly recommended place to visit.

One of the popular boating spots in Tamil Nadu that gives a unique experience. I've been there twice and had fun both the times. People who plan to visit it should make note of the below. 1. The place is completely crowded in weekends and holidays. So it is better to start early and reach there by 10 because there's only one counter and the waiting queue will increase over time. 2. There are 2 types of boats - motor and rowing and both are equally good. But motor boat is a bit expensive and can accommodate 8 members. Row boat is cheap and best and can cover narrow paths. 3. The person rowing the boat will take you to some great places if you're willing to pay extra (we paid 800 and he took us to some shooting spots) 4. The only problem here is the scorching sun which will not allow you to enjoy completely. If possible you can go around evening but the tickets will be over before 4pm so plan accordingly. Overall a good place which can be enjoyed with family and friends for half a day.

A nice experience to spend 2-3 hours in a unique ecology amongst the flora and fauna in a river delta. A short drive from Chidambaram, Pichavaram offers a boat ride through the vast mangroves. Both row boats and motor boats are on offer for a nominal fee. Recommend going there to spend the evening as it could get hot otherwise. A nice watch tower and decent parking space makes for a pleasant trip. Worth a visit for a getaway with a difference.

We reached there at 12.45pm from Chidambaram temple. We got ticket for our boat ride by 1pm. Our Token number is 143 but that time running token 97. If you are planning to visit this place means reach early and get tickets 🎟️. They will be closed once the day tokens are sold out. It is very crowded during weekends or public holidays. We have waited nearly one hour to get our turn. It's worth the wait. We paid some extra amount to the boat rider to see the shooting spot areas. Actually it's mesmerizing place to visit. My daughter enjoyed her row boat ride. We took some good photos and videos 📸 Bought a 6 members row boat for 650rs. Entry fees for Adults is 10rs. Forest area entry charges 50 ₹ There is a toll charge of Rs.100 that will be collected before entering the car parking. There is a view tower to see the view of Mangroves Forest. Entry fee is 5rs.

Very good Mangrove forest to be visited with family and friends. Having vast areas of backwaters it is place for lot of birds, animals and water species Best time is during monsoon Times. In summer it is very hot ..TN Tourism and Forest department is running boat service. More facilities for tourists required. Water sports facilities should be improved a lot. It will give more employment. Focus on Tourism is no up to the mark.

Very nice place. Boating experience is great. But be aware of boating scam. At ticket counter charges for single ride is ₹400 for 4 people of 40 min. ride. But distance is only 0.5 km and very simple ride. Then skipper (driver) asks for extra and separate money to show main spot. We paid extra ₹800/- to the skipper only. And this amount is only for extra 1km and a photo spot. There is option at the ticket counter for full ride at ₹600 or ₹800. Be there for ticket booking at or before 09:00AM, after that there is so much crowd

Total 1 hour boating in mangrove forest. The cost is 400 per person. The climate was okay as it was summer. Nice place to take snaps. Water in some places is not good. But overall it was a nice experience. Providing a life jacket for safety. You can see more crabs 🦀 there.

One of the beautiful spot for one day picnic near chidambaram. Now it's well maintained and clean. Parking at your own risk. Boat charges are fixed per boat. If you want to go deeper, boatmen will take you there with additional charges.

It is a good place to visit for boating. The boating is open from 9a.m. to 4p.m. The rowing boat costs you Rs.400 for one boat for 1 hour ride. If you want the boatman to take you to uncommon routes you will have to pay him extra. Bargain with him before getting on the boat. Also don't forget to bring odomos as there are many mosquitoes in the forests and you ll not be able to enjoy the beauty of you don't have some mosquito repellent.

A boating ride through these magical saltwater mangrove forests was an amazing experience. Totally worth travelling all the way for. The boatmen was friendly and gave us a lot of facts and regional stories, if you pay him extra bucks he will take you further into the canals and it is mesmerizing ✨

Beautiful place. Boating charges are little higher but it's fine. Worth watching. If u give some extra amount to boat man, he will take another 10 mins ride and show us some good deep forest. Always prefer motor boat here not the row boat. They won't take to deep forest and will cover extra kms.

My visit to Pichavaram Mangrove Forest was a mesmerizing experience that immersed me in the natural beauty of this unique ecosystem. The mangrove forest, with its intricate network of waterways and lush greenery, provided a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Exploring the waterways by boat was a highlight of the visit. The serenity of the mangrove-lined channels, coupled with the vibrant birdlife and the occasional sighting of aquatic creatures, made the boat ride a peaceful and enchanting journey. The knowledgeable guide added value to the experience by sharing insights into the significance of the mangrove ecosystem and its diverse inhabitants. The biodiversity within Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is truly remarkable. The variety of flora and fauna, including different species of mangroves and migratory birds, showcases the ecological richness of the area. Nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers would find this destination particularly rewarding. The conservation efforts evident in the area are commendable. It's apparent that steps have been taken to preserve and protect this vital ecosystem. The overall cleanliness and well-maintained facilities further enhance the visitor experience. For those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature's wonders, Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a nature lover, adventure seeker, or simply looking for a serene escape, this mangrove forest offers a unique and memorable experience.

Pichavaram mangrove forest is the one of the largest mangrove forests in India.This place is well connected by road with Chidambaram.There are more than 430 water routes available for boating and both motor and row boats are available. Row boat gives you better experience they can take you deep into these mangroves. Must visit place for all the nature lovers.Best time to visit is early morning or evening and pay some extra money to boatman he will take you deep into the mangrove forest and very narrow lanes. It's like entering another world!

This place is a backwater mangrove forest just like in Kerala. If you are looking for a weekend getaway from Chennai this place is highly recommended. The view is just mesmerising. Be there as early as possible because when the boat goes through the mangrove forest they will open the top and it will become hot.

One of the Best boat rides I've ever been too. Take the motor boat to be able to go inside the small cave like land of the Mangrove and you'll have a lifetime of memory. Sufficient car parking available. Motor boat Rs. 1800 (up to 8 people). Row boat Rs. 400 (up to 4 people). Row boat Rs. 600 (up to 6 people). Additional Rs. 10 per head for forest department. Beautiful experience of nature. Loved it thoroughly. It opens at 9 am. And if you're there by 8.30 am, you could go on boat ride by 9 when the sun isn't harsh. In the noon it could become very hot.

We had a wonderful Boat ride through the Mangrove forest. Especially my son ( 4 yr old) had great fun. I prefer Row boat ride compared to Speed boat. Some narrow places cant be viewed in Motor boat. 450 rs per boat, can accommodate upto 4 people. Preferable time before 11AM or after 3PM. Carry a umbrella if required.

Had a very good experience. UPI payments are accepted here for tickets to visit mangrove forest so need not worry about cash. If you are 4 people you can take an entire row boat. You would be rowed through the back waters into mangrove forest. The boater would ask you for extra money to take you into deeper forest. If you are interested you can give him extra money and enjoy the extra ride. It is a beautiful experience in mangrove forest.

Must Visit Spot once in life time. Experienced the Excitement to the Core. Just ❤️it. But most go early to avoid prolong waiting period. So that v can get the boat 🛥 on time.

Beautiful location with Mangroves and boating... All can have a happy time with their family and friends. On the way to the tourist destination we needed to pay 100 as toll charges. Here we have a car and bike parking and then a booking counter where we needed to book in 1 hr prior to closing hrs of the spot for both sail and motor boat... Getting a token is mandatory. Costs are reasonable but worth the best mangrove forest ride... Mostly prefer a sailing Boat, by default ₹400 for four (1 r 2 r 3 r 4 members) persons to round the forest. They also have individual restrooms 🚻 and waiting time is more on weekends and holidays. Had a great and happy time with my family.

Great tourism spot. Mangroves are shock absorbers in case of tidal overflow and even tsunamis, it is great that this big mangrove forest is being well maintained. They breath via the aerial roots so tourists should not break them for fun. Few boats take tourists to canals but most motor boats don't. Only row boats take near canals.

Absolutely amazing place and it was beyond what we have expected before visiting. Took boat ride, I will recommend taking manual row boat than motor boat to experience mangrove forest better. Because motor boats spread pollution which damages ecosystem. Also person who operating boat was hard working, he took us to interior core forest areas at extra cost. Highly recommended place to visit.

It's an amazing experience. You may read about the mangroves a bit and then visit the place. We went there after spending one day at Puducherry. It took 2 hours. The NH is under construction right now ( Aug 2023). So the travel was not good neither bad. But once there .....every moment will add on to your beautiful memories. It's a quiet place. Take a row boat. They will row along the narrow aisles between the forest. Pay 500 bucks more and the boatman will take you little further where the trees make a canopy like a cave. The row boat costs 400/- per hour and for 1 km. August is good. Humid though.

Beautiful place worth 1-2 times visit . The boating takes you to an amazing experience through mangrove forest. The charges are little higher but not bad. You should go for a covered boat during day time otherwise it will be too hot.

A very nice experience of mangrove forests. 1. Boating here costs around 400 (rowing) and motor boat costs around 1800 which comes with a shade but i suggest to go with row boat and get your own umbrellas. 2. In between the driver will ask you give 600 so that he will take to inside of mangrove forest of restricted area. That is optional if you want or else you can go through regular route but its more worth. 3. A cost of 40 to be given to forest dept for entry and 100 for cars at a check post entrance

Good place for boating through the mangrove forest. There are boats operated by government. Various options are available from 2 persons to 8 persons. You can select the timing also for 1 hour or 2 hours. If you pay some extra amount to the boat person, he will take you to the interior part of the forest. Its only possible with row boats, not in motor boats. Better to go in early morning or evening. There will lot of mosques also. Overall its a memorable experience.

Most awaited trip happens this week. A very nice nature spot with rare mangrove forest. Where we can explore it by going deep into it by motor boat. Quite expensive. But still worth. 2 types of boat avl. Hand boat & motor boat. Food quality very average. Prefer to take food outside.

One of the popular boating spots in Tamil Nadu that gives a unique experience. I've been there twice and had fun both the times. People who plan to visit it should make note of the below. 1. The place is completely crowded in weekends and holidays. So it is better to start early and reach there by 10 because there's only one counter and the waiting queue will increase over time. 2. There are 2 types of boats - motor and rowing and both are equally good. But motor boat is a bit expensive and can accommodate 8 members. Row boat is cheap and best and can cover narrow paths. 3. The person rowing the boat will take you to some great places if you're willing to pay extra (we paid 800 and he took us to some shooting spots) 4. The only problem here is the scorching sun which will not allow you to enjoy completely. If possible you can go around evening but the tickets will be over before 4pm so plan accordingly. Overall a good place which can be enjoyed with family and friends for half a day.

The place is very good but boat driver's get extra money to show good place and more distance. The thing is they have to come back at stipulated time to avoid fines..so don't give extra money !! Also pls get row boat then motor boat since motor boat cannot go to small and low depth place where row boat can go.

Amazing experience for a pocket friendly price! The guide was super friendly and explained the history, and trivia's about the place. Super lovely people. The place starts the services at 9.30 am in the morning. So try to reach early and grab your tickets before the place gets over crowded by 11 or so. The first trip gives you a better, peaceful, silent trip through the mangrove forests!

Adventures experience ⛵️. Price of the ride on row boats also affordable and worth. Management is taking care of safety measures. Better visit on weekdays to avoid waiting. They are charging 800/- for a row boat with capacity of 6 members.

The cave experience during the boating is exceptionally beautiful, offering stunning views. However, apart from this attraction, there is not much else to see or do. The main offering at this location is boating. Typically, a hand boat for four members is priced at 400 rs. If you're interested in the cave experience, an additional charge of 700 rs will be incurred for the boat driver's services.

Close to pondicherry town, drive of around 60km from town. Take a boat ride to go through the mangrove forest. The safety on the boat to be improved, the official should pay attention. Of course they allow you on the boat with life jackets, but expecting some kind of safety on the boat to avoid any untoward incident.

We unfortunately reached here on rainy day due to which had to wait on the ticket queue for at least two hours. I would highly recommend getting the row boat as the motor boats doesn't have the advantage of going through the smaller canals of the mangrove. By tipping the boat operator you can buy yourself some extra time and they'll take you to the remotest zones of the forest. It was unique and lovely to experience the whole thing while it was raining. So, do not cancel your plans even if it rains. Just grab your umbrellas just in case. It will come in use to save yourself from the scorching sun if not the rain.

3 star not for the place, but for the department who is maintaining it. One of the pathetic ticketing system. One has to wait for a couple of hours in the Q! To get tickets as there are only 1 counter each for the motor boat and normal boat. Request the tourism department to add on more counters for smooth running. Hundreds of people come to this place and fight in Q to get their tickets. And it's difficult to stand in a Q above a shed in the scorching heat no fans, nothing! Paid 1800/- for 8 people for a motor boat. Before boarding the boat the forest department stopped us and asked for the money. After paying 1800/- again we had to pay 70 rupees for the forest department which seems to me as a SCAM. The place is outstanding no doubt about it but the department running it is not.

The place is a paradise if you are a person of ecological inclination. The beauty of being so close to the second largest mangrove forest is just awesome. The place has a whole different ecosystem to it. The root system, the waters, it's so beautiful being so close to these things. The food is also good because they serve fresh sea food from the lagoons. Being said that, you should be aware that to reach here you have to reach Chidambaram first. Then there are various transport like autos available. The timing to reach here is the key. There can be a huge rush in the morning but around 11-1:30 The rush is less. Be aware that there are a lot of insects and mosquitoes. The boat guys charge you 400 for row boat and 1800 for a full motor boat. The weather can be very very humid so be prepared in sunny days.

It has to be developed a lot. I think it's fine but when it is undertaken by the Govt it has to be maintained properly. This issue has to be seriously undertaken by the Tourist dept. Row boat person has to be hired and extra charges have to be taken in note. Those who are going can think twice and can take the journey

Pichavaram is the mangrove forest trail and is worth exploring by nature lovers. The streams and canals running through the forests and the boat ride in between them is worth a lifetime. The mangrove forest forms an island type structure in many areas in the backwaters. Two types of boat rides are there one is row boat and the other is speed boat. One can ride as per their choice. Just don't miss the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the Mangrove forest.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, located just 60km from Pondicherry, is a tranquil and beautiful destination that is definitely worth a visit. As soon as we arrived, we were able to purchase tickets for the park, which was a breeze and made for a hassle-free experience. One of the highlights of the visit was taking a row boat through the waterways of the mangrove forest. While motor boats are available, I would highly recommend opting for the quieter and more intimate experience of a row boat. This allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural surroundings and take in the sights and sounds of the forest without any interruptions. The forest itself is a spectacular sight, with towering mangrove trees lining the riverbanks and creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The boat ride was especially calming when we stopped in the middle of the river, where we could fully appreciate the sounds of the birds and water. This was a truly peaceful and meditative experience that left us feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. Overall, Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Pondicherry or the surrounding area. Its peaceful atmosphere and stunning natural beauty make for a truly unforgettable experience.

Such an amazing, scenic place. Was great pleasure meandering through the narrow waterways filled with resplendent flora so typical of marsh landscapes. Heard that there are some wild animals too that frequent post dusk to catch some fish. Beware of the hot sun though, although the boat ride will be relatively cooler

Nice place close to Chidambaram. No hotels here but one can stay in chidambaram and visit. Ma

Mangrove Forest : Tamilnadu - Place is good for one time visit. - There are row boats and speed boats available. One can take the tickets to either row boat or speed boat. - As speed boats are big in size, they can’t go deeper into the forest. So if you are visiting for first time it is advised to take row boat. - We visited in the month of september, but still weather was too hot. It is good to carry sunscreen. - 6 members are allowed in one row boat.